Ukraine has proposed a new format for a partial ceasefire in the war with Russia — a mutual refusal to strike at airports. Kyiv wants Europe to join the negotiations and help advance this initiative amid a slowdown in peace contacts involving the USA. This is reported by Politico.
Ukraine proposes a separate truce for airports
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Kyiv is offering Russia a separate agreement to cease attacks on airports.
According to him, the idea is a mutual refusal to strike at civil aviation infrastructure. Ukraine believes that such an initiative could be the first limited step towards broader negotiations.
Sybiha suggested that Russia might be interested in such a format due to the increasing vulnerability of major Russian airports, particularly Sheremetyevo and Pulkovo, to Ukrainian long-range attacks.
Ukraine wants to involve Europe in negotiations
Andrii Sybiha stated that Europe could create a separate platform or special group to discuss the "airport truce".
At the same time, Kyiv emphasizes that it is not suggesting replacing the European format with negotiations involving the USA. Ukraine wants European initiatives to complement American diplomacy.
According to the minister, President Volodymyr Zelensky has already discussed this idea with individual European leaders.
Europe is cautious about the idea for now
In recent months, some European politicians have been calling for a more active involvement of the EU in negotiations regarding the war.
French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested the possibility of direct contact with Vladimir Putin, while German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Europe should have a seat at the negotiating table.
Meanwhile, the EU is cautious in assessing the possibility of new dialogue formats with Moscow. The EU's chief diplomat, Kaia Kallas, announced that European ministers will discuss the role of the EU in peace negotiations later this month.
Against the backdrop of the protracted war, Ukraine is increasingly seeking new diplomatic formats to partially reduce the level of attacks and involve international partners in the negotiation process.
For Ukraine, a potential ceasefire regarding airports could become one of the first limited de-escalation mechanisms that does not require a complete cessation of hostilities.
Recall that the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met on May 11 in Brussels with the Spanish Foreign Minister, EU and Cooperation José Manuel Albares Bueno. During the meeting, several important topics were discussed, including the situation on the battlefield, security challenges, and the issues of increasing international pressure on Russia.